Why Governments Keep Failing Us: The Truth About Reactive Politics
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
Release Date: 03/11/2025
You’ll Probably Change Careers Twice in the Next 20 Years – Here’s How to Survive It
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
Believe it or not, the average Australian will change occupations not once, but more than twice over the next 20 years. And that's not just changing jobs—it's likely to be a complete shift into a different occupation. Today, Simon Kuestenmacher and I discuss the evolving landscape of work in Australia, and explore the factors driving this change, including technology, demographics, and the need for flexible education and training systems. The conversation also explores the role of migration in the workforce and highlights the importance of developing soft skills...
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Why More Aussies Are Living Alone — And What It Means for the Future
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
What if I told you that one of the most significant demographic shifts shaping our cities, our housing markets, and even our social lives over the next few decades… isn’t migration, isn’t birth rates, and isn’t ageing? It’s something far more personal. In today’s show, we’re talking about a silent revolution - the rise of the single-person household. More Australians than ever are living alone, and it’s not just retirees or Gen Zs in tiny apartments. From the newly single at 54 to the solo 29-year-old navigating life on their terms, this trend is redrawing the blueprint of...
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How Does Your Wealth Stack Up Against Your Generation?
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
Whether you’re just starting out, deep in your wealth-building years, or nearing retirement, it’s only natural to wonder: “How do I stack up compared to others?” In today's show, Simon Kuestenmacher and I look into the fascinating – and sometimes uncomfortable – world of generational wealth. We discuss the current financial landscape, highlighting the wealth distribution among baby boomers, Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by each generation, the impact of intergenerational wealth transfer, and the importance of strategic...
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Love or Leverage? How Soaring House Prices Are Trapping Couples Together
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
Have you ever wondered how the housing market is shaping our most personal life choices? In today’s show Simon Küstenmacher and I explore fascinating new Australian research that reveals how rising property costs are affecting relationship dynamics, marriage stability, and even divorce rates. We discuss how soaring house prices may be locking individuals into unhappy marriages due to financial constraints, the trends in divorce rates, and the economic factors influencing marriage decisions. The conversation also touches on mental health implications, gender dynamics in marriage...
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From Gloom to Boom? The Housing Shift Facing Gen Z
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
Do you ever wonder what the future of housing looks like for Generation Z? Right now, many young Australians feel locked out of the property market – priced out, disillusioned, and deeply pessimistic about their financial futures. But what if the story isn’t all doom and gloom? If you're curious about what the housing market might look like in 2034 – and how demographic and economic forces could tilt things in Gen Z’s favour – today’s show is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Takeaways · Gen Z is the...
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Who Will Replace the Baby Boomers? Rethinking Migration to Fill Australia’s Skills Gap
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
In this episode of Demographics Decoded, Simon Kuestenmacher and I discuss the significant impact of the baby boomer generation leaving the workforce and retiring. We examine the resulting skills gap, the challenges businesses encounter during leadership transitions, and the implications for various industries. The conversation also explores the role of AI and automation, the importance of strategic migration, and the necessity of effective business succession planning. Ultimately, we emphasise the opportunity for younger generations to step into roles and businesses...
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Will Young Australians Be Better Off Than Their Parents? Delay, Decline or Just Different?
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
In this episode of the Demographics Decoded Podcast, I explore with Simon Kuestenmacher and I ask the question – Will younger Australians be better off than previous generations. It’s a question that used to have a simple answer. But today, the path to prosperity seems murkier than ever. We discuss the wealth distribution dominated by baby boomers, the impact of education and income growth, the challenges of homeownership, and the role of technology and mental health in shaping the experiences of Gen Z. The conversation highlights both the opportunities and...
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Double Act or Double Trouble? The Truth About Couple-Run Businesses with Mark Creedon
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
Did you know that around 40% of family-owned businesses in Australia are run by couples? Often husband-and-wife teams share not only a home but also a business. On the surface, this might sound like the ultimate partnership - sharing a vision, building wealth together, and celebrating wins side by side. But the reality? It’s not always so rosy. Running a business with your partner presents unique challenges - blurring the lines between work and life, financial pressures, role conflicts, and sometimes even health and relationship issues. In fact, international research suggests that couples...
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Australia in 2125: What the Next 100 Years Could Look Like
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
What would someone from 1925 make of the Australia we live in today? Would they be amazed by our prosperity? Shocked by how much our values and lifestyles have changed? Or perhaps surprised that a place called the “Gold Coast” even exists? In today’s episode of Demographics Decoded, Simon Kuestenmacher and I take a time machine journey through Australia’s past and present. We explore how our country has evolved over the last 100 years – socially, culturally, demographically – and then fast-forward to ask: what might Australia look like in another hundred years? What kind of cities...
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Baby Boomers Are Sitting on Property Goldmines – But Refusing to Cash In
Demographics Decoded - Unveiling the trends shaping your future
Have you ever wondered why more Baby Boomers aren’t downsizing, even though many are now living in homes that are bigger than they need? Simon Kuestenmacher and I discuss this important demographic trend that affects housing affordability, intergenerational wealth, and how our cities will evolve. So whether you're a policymaker, a property investor, or a Millennial waiting for the Boomer next door to sell, you won’t want to miss this show. Takeaways · The narrative of downsizing among baby...
info_outlineIt seems that politics is stuck in a reactive mode—always putting out fires instead of preventing them in the first place.
It feels like we’re watching the same movie over and over again, so in this episode of the Demographics Decoded podcast, Simon Kuestenmacher and I discuss the challenges and opportunities of preventive governance.
We explain how the cycle is frustrating because we know prevention is not only more cost-effective but also better for society in the long run. Yet, time and time again, governments wait until things hit crisis point before stepping in.
It’s like they’re addicted to the drama of a crisis.
We explore the reasons why political systems often react to crises rather than prevent them, emphasising the importance of long-term thinking and public support for effective policy-making.
Our conversation highlights successful preventive measures in various sectors and the potential for change as younger, more socially conscious generations take leadership roles.
Ultimately, the discussion is optimistic about the future of preventive governance in Australia.
Takeaways
- Politicians often prioritise short-term gains over long-term solutions.
- Preventive policies are often overlooked in favor of reactive measures.
- Long-term thinking is essential for effective governance.
- Public support is crucial for implementing preventive measures.
- Successful preventive policies can be hard to justify politically.
- Statistics and data are important for convincing policymakers.
- The younger generations are more community-minded and socially conscious.
- There are successful examples of preventive policies in Australia.
- Change in governance tends to happen gradually.
- Optimism for the future of preventive governance is warranted.
Chapters
02:46 The Challenges of Preventative Governance
05:47 Understanding Preventative Models
08:33 The Political Landscape and Short-Term Thinking
10:00 The Self-Undermining Nature of Prevention
12:43 Learning from Successful Preventative Policies
15:29 The Role of Community Support in Policy
18:20 The Future of Preventative Policies in Australia
28:50 The Importance of Demographic Awareness
Join Simon Kuestenmacher and Michael Yardney at Wealth Retreat 2025 –Australia’s Premier Wealth Retreat for Elite Investors and Business People – learn more here.
About Simon Kuestenmacher
Simon Kuestenmacher is co-founder and Director – The Demographics Group
Simon is a prolific media commentator on demographic and data matters and a columnist for The New Daily and The Australian newspapers.
He ranks as one of the world’s Top 10 influencers in data visualisation. If you can’t get enough of the kind of data that explains how the world works, make sure to follow Simon on Linked In or X (formerly Twitter) or any of his other social channels.
Click here for a media enquiry or if you would like to book Simon Kuestenmacher for a speaking engagement. His presentations and quirky observations are enjoyed by audiences from the financial services, property, government, education, technology, retail and professional services industries, among others.
About Michael Yardney
Michael Yardney- founder Metropole Property Strategists has been voted one of Australia’s 50 most influential Thought Leaders.
While he is best known as a property expert, Michael is also Australia’s leading expert in the psychology of success and wealth creation.
Michael is a #1 best selling author of 9 books and frequently challenges traditional finance advice with innovative ideas on property investment, personal finance and wealth creation.
Follow Michael on Linked In or Instagram
Are you interested in property investment - let the team at Metropole build you a Strategic Property Plan to help give you clarity, direction and wealth-producing results.